Kottakkal: A word of caution to those using varied creams for beauty enhancement. Creams manufactured by non-brand companies carry the potential risk of causing kidney disease to the users. This discovery was made by doctors of the Nephrology Department at Aster Mims hospital, Kottakkal. 

Membranous nephropathy (MN), a rare kidney disease, was diagnosed in patients who sought treatment at the hospital between February and June. This is a disease where the filtering membranes of the kidney are damaged and protein is lost through urine. 

Most people who were diagnosed with MN used skin-lightening creams with high levels of certain metals. The disease was first noticed in a 14-year old girl. When initial treatment seemed ineffective, an inquiry was made into all the unusual things used by the girl. That is when it came to light that the girl was using fairness cream. However, it was not possible to confirm this as the cause  of the disease at that time.

Simultaneously, a relative of the girl also sought treatment for the same symptoms. Both of them were positive for Nell-1 MN. The second girl too had used the fairness cream.

Later, a 29-year-old man also presented with similar symptoms. He had been using a fairness cream for two months. With this, all patients who had similar symptoms were called. Of this, eight people had used the cream. 

Aster Mims senior Nephrologists Dr Sajeesh Sahadevan and Dr Renjith Narayanan decided to study the patients and face cream they used in detail. The tests conducted on the cream revealed that the mercury and lead levels were hundred times higher than the permissible levels. The cream’s label did not contain information about the product’s manufacturers or its ingredients.

Operation Soundarya

Although the state drug control department  in February seized fake cosmetics under the name ‘Operation Soundarya’, once the operation’s heat weaned, fake products became prevalent in the market once again. 

Skin-lightening creams, face lotions, shampoos, soap, nail polish, etc. come from company labels based in Pakistan, Turkey and China. These have been often found to not follow safety guidelines prescribed by the controlling authorities.

One must exercise caution when purchasing cosmetics. As per rules, cosmetic products labels must carry  import registration certificate number along with the name and address of the importing firm. This should be checked when buying such imported creams. Malappuram Drugs Control Inspector, M.C Nishith said that If any shop is found to be selling such fake products, strict action will be taken.